DC at the Gaylord in March

My husband has a convention. I get to play.

 

I look forward to being back in DC and visiting my old stomping grounds. I grew up in the DC area, Maryland side. Many weekends, I would walk to the bus stop and, for 40 cents, find myself at the National Zoo or one of the Smithsonian Museums or the National Cathedral. Of course, once the Metro was built (during my high school years), that was the preferred method of transportation and oh so much fun in those first years of operation!

 

March in DC can be unpredictable. I expect cold, blustery winds, rain, some sunshine and perhaps some warm days. Layers. Warmer layers, cooler layers. Expect anything layers. You just never know.

 

I put together a packing list last eve…at 3am…once the mind starts wandering, there’s only one way to silence it: draw it on little 3x5 cards. I’ll wear a nice outfit to dinner one evening, and recycle part of the outfit in the following days for my daytime activities.

This is what I need to sew in order for the plan to succeed:

1. Jacket: winter white, soft wool. factory interfaced.

Question: Should I use the same pattern as the purple wool coat? It has no button closures and too-wide sleeves: so that’s preventing me from answering a resounding yes. But I have it fitting so nicely!

I’m leaning towards Silhouettes 909. I’ve made two muslins thus far and think I have it fitting well.

But I’m totally undecided. I’d love you to weigh in with suggestions. What is stopping me from deciding???

 

2. Top to Match Jacket: a winter white top to match (I’m not seeing fabric in my collection so this might be a frustrating task). What I have is too white or too yellow.

3. Skirt: a black/off-white chiffon pattern from fabric I already have. I can’t find a photo so you’ll have to wait for the final product. I’ll make a simple A-line, elastic waist, calf-length, lined with off-white Bemberg. This can be paired with the above jacket and top and also with a black RTW sweater set I have. Two evening outfits.

4. Skirt: a sold black skirt, textured fabric – blend unknown. I’m pairing it with the following sweater set.

5. Rust Sweater Set: silk jersey from G Street. Will match the solid black skirt.

This basic black/winter white wardrobe with slight splashes of color (for spring!) will be supported with a few RTW items: sleeveless turtlenecks, off-white rain jacket with rust trim, and jeans. I plan to highlight the sets with scarves.

 

I also plan to bring the black/white jacket I completed in January to pair with black RTW trousers or the black skirt and, depending on the weather reports closer to the day of departure the purple wool jacket to pair with black trousers or skirt or jeans.

 

If I run out of evening outfits (one never knows ahead of time just how many evening events one must attend), I can pair the black skirt with rust top and white jacket and scarf to pull it all together.

 

I have plans to meet an old friend for lunch – haven’t seen her since 10th grade. We recently reconnected via Facebook and I love her as much now as I did then! Perhaps I’ll be heading the tour parade for spouses of event attendees.

 

I’ve never been to the Spy Museum. Need to fix that.